Romania

Romanian is the official language, a Romance language that is unusual in a region otherwise dominated by Slavic and Hungarian tongues; travelers with some French, Italian, or Spanish will recognize many words. It is written in the Latin alphabet, unlike several of Romania's neighbors, so signs and menus are easy to read even without knowing the language. English is common in Bucharest, Transylvania's tourist towns, and among younger people; German and Hungarian are also widely spoken in parts of Transylvania.

If you have an EU or EEA mobile plan, it works in Romania at no extra cost under EU roaming rules. Visitors from outside the EU can buy a prepaid SIM from Orange, Vodafone, or Digi at the airport or any phone shop; bring your passport for registration. Coverage is strong even in rural and mountain areas, thanks to widespread 4G and growing 5G networks.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Bucharest and other major cities, though it can taste heavily chlorinated; bottled water is cheap and widely available if you prefer it, especially in rural areas. Pharmacies, marked "Farmacie," are common in cities and towns, with green cross signs, and pharmacists often speak some English. Larger cities have 24-hour pharmacies on rotation. No special vaccinations are required beyond routine immunizations; hikers in forested areas in spring or summer should check for ticks afterward.

Romania is a full member of the Schengen area and the European Union. Citizens of EU and EEA countries can enter with a valid ID card or passport and stay indefinitely. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, the same rule that applies across the rest of the Schengen area. Travelers who need a visa can apply for a Schengen visa through a Romanian embassy or consulate before travel.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Greetings are usually a handshake, with cheek kisses common between women and between men and women who know each other well. Dress modestly when visiting Orthodox monasteries and churches: cover shoulders and knees, and women may be asked to cover their hair. Bargaining is not expected in shops or restaurants but is sometimes acceptable at outdoor markets. Giving an odd number of flowers is customary when presenting a bouquet, since even numbers are associated with funerals. Photography is generally welcome, but ask before photographing people directly, especially in villages and at religious sites during services.

Public holidays can close banks, offices, and many shops, especially around Christmas, New Year, and Easter, which follows the Orthodox calendar and can fall later than in Western Europe. Transport keeps running on most holidays, but with reduced schedules. Shops in cities are generally open daily including Sunday, though smaller towns may see shorter hours or closures on Sunday afternoons.

• By train: CFR Călători, the national rail operator, connects major cities, though journeys can be slow on non-modernized lines; book tickets through CFR Călători.
• By bus: Intercity buses and minibuses (maxi-taxi) are often faster than trains and reach towns without rail service, including Sighisoara.
• By air: Domestic flights connect Bucharest with Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Timișoara, and other regional cities, useful for covering Romania's longer distances quickly.
• By car: Renting a car is the easiest way to see Transylvania's castles and villages at your own pace; see the driving section below.

Bucharest has a metro system plus buses and trams; tickets are sold as rechargeable cards or via mobile apps, and must be validated on board buses and trams.

Romanian food blends Balkan, Hungarian, and Ottoman influences with hearty, home-style cooking. Breakfast is often bread, cheese, cold cuts, and eggs; lunch is the main meal for many Romanians, typically starting with a soup called ciorbă, a sour broth made with vegetables, meat, or tripe. Sarmale, cabbage or grape leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, is the closest thing to a national dish, usually served with polenta and sour cream.

Grilled minced-meat rolls called mici are a summer staple, cooked at outdoor grills and street stalls. Papanași, fried dough balls topped with sour cream and jam, is a popular dessert. Țuică, a strong plum brandy, is the traditional drink for toasts and is often homemade in villages; wine is also widely produced, especially in Transylvania and Moldavia.

Locals eat at casual restaurants and traditional taverns for sarmale and grilled meats, and at bakeries and street stalls for quick snacks like covrigi, a chewy pretzel-like bread. Markets are common for cheap, fresh produce and dairy between sightseeing stops.

Romania's most visited destinations run from the capital through Transylvania's medieval towns to the Black Sea coast.

Cities: Bucharest, the capital, mixes Belle Époque architecture, Communist-era monuments, and the bar-filled Old Town district. Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania's largest city, has a historic center and one of Romania's largest student populations. Timisoara, near the Serbian and Hungarian borders, is known for its Habsburg-era architecture and role in the 1989 revolution that ended Communist rule. Iasi, in the northeast, is Moldavia's historic and cultural capital, with grand churches and university buildings.

Transylvanian towns: Brasov, at the foot of the Carpathians, is a base for visiting nearby castles and mountains. Sibiu, a former Saxon stronghold, has a well-preserved old town of pastel houses and fortified towers. Sighisoara is a fortified medieval citadel still lived in today, and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler.

Black Sea coast: Constanta, Romania's main port city, has Roman-era ruins alongside beach resorts stretching south along the coast.